Hi Scott, I've started flying in 78 and 99% was on fixed wing. Fixed wing is like autopilot as the plane will fly its self without your input except for turning and so on. You can get away with so much with few cardinal rules.
On the other hand helicopters cannot fly on their own and demand
All your attention. Every mishap can be avoided but one must learn through your own and others mistakes. These "Heli Rules" are like Titanium pillers which cannot be broken. I am learning this from my own flying experience.
Titanium Piller's
3D Flying
1. Never switch into 3D mode while in flight.
2. Never switch out of 3D mode until on the ground OR on committed landing approach and touchdown.
Close Calls
1. After a heart stopping near miss.. Never try to land right away because you will forget to land gracefully. Been there done that!
2. Fly simple patterns and cool down and land on flat ground. Fiberglass rotors are very expensive not including servo gears etc.
Excited by people watching you fly
1. Never be pressured into flying! I my worst enemy on this. I showed off my camera mount and without fixing a problem with the gyro got it in the air and was like a bucking bronco. I got it on the ground asap and it tipped over.
2. Avoid flying with lookie lou's. It's better to abort a flight than to show your temper while picking up the pieces.
Baby Steps
Every flight must be taken in baby steps. Only fly within your compfort zone. Practice doing figure 8's till they are performed with your eyes closed. Expanding from this step will be easier.
Jim